Associate Director, Neighborhood Strategies

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation (formerly the Center for Court Innovation) is a non-profit organization that works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's goal is to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the criminal and civil legal systems. It does this in a number of ways—by developing and running programs that reduce the need for incarceration and enhance economic opportunity, conducting original research to identify what works, and sharing what we learn from our programming and research with those seeking to transform the justice system around the world.

The Center is an 800-employee, $100 million nonprofit that accomplishes its vision through three pillars of work: creating and scaling operating programs to test new ideas and solve problems, performing original research to determine what works (and what doesn’t), and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to justice reformers around the world.

Operating Programs

The Center’s operating programs, including the award-winning Red Hook Community Justice Center and Midtown Community Court, test new ideas, solve difficult problems, and attempt to achieve systemic change within the justice system. Our projects include community-based violence prevention programs, alternatives to incarceration, reentry initiatives, and court-based initiatives that reduce the use of unnecessary incarceration and promote positive individual and family change. Through this programming, we have produced tangible results like safer streets, reduced incarceration, and improved neighborhood perceptions of justice.

Research

The Center's research teams are staffed with social scientists, data analysts, and lawyers who are academically-trained or have lived experience and who conduct research in the U.S. and globally on diverse criminal-legal system and justice issues. Their work includes evaluating programs and policies; conducting exploratory, community-based studies; and providing research translation and strategic planning for system actors. The Center has published studies on topics including court and jail reform, intimate partner violence, restorative justice, gun violence, reentry, sixth amendment rights, and progressive prosecution. The research teams strive to make their work meaningful and actionable to the communities they work with, policymakers, and practitioners.

Policy & Expert Assistance

The Center provides hands-on, planning and implementation assistance to a wide range of jurisdictions in areas of reform such as problem-solving courts (e.g., community courts, treatment courts, domestic violence courts), tribal justice, reducing incarceration and the use of fines/fees and reducing crime and violence. Our current expert assistance takes many forms, including help with analyzing data, strategic planning and consultation, policy guidance, and hosting site visits to its operating programs in the New York City area. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives (NSI), a program of the Center, is seeking an Associate Director, Neighborhood Strategies to support the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) crime prevention grant. Underway since 2015 and led by the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice/Office of Neighborhood Safety, MAP is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well-being in 30 public housing developments across New York City, and the BJA grant has allowed the Center to increase investments at Wagner Houses and extend the Center’s community engagement model to Jefferson and Johnson Houses in East Harlem. 

The Center is a key implementation partner in MAP’s NeighborhoodStat, a resident-driven, community organizing initiative since 2016, citywide and local meetings have been convened to share information and data, facilitate community engagement to identify neighborhood priorities, enhance the quality of life and spur collaboration and accountability among city agencies and local stakeholders.

NSI is working to advance the advocacy process by assisting each of 30 designated communities to convene local stakeholder groups. Stakeholder teams activities include collaboratively identify community conditions, prioritize local initiatives, access and analyze data, identify and leverage resources, improve resident capacity through trainings; and implement participatory place-keeping projects and policy recommendations that address structural racism, local concerns and enhance public safety, reduce victimization, promoting healing and improves well-being. The initiative’s overarching goal is to build community agency in policy change within a social, racial, and spatial justice framework.

Reporting to the Director of Capacity Building and Director of Community Programs and Logistics, the Associate Director will assist in the planning and implementation of the Center’s Neighborhood Safety Initiative (NSI), including but not limited to training and supervising community organizing staff; developing policies, procedures, and program materials; overseeing site operations; coordinating project communication and interagency collaboration; and ensuring timely reporting and coordination with evaluators. The selected candidate will also assist with communications and social media for NSI.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Administrative and Operational duties:

• Working closely NSI managerial leadership to advance all assigned NeighborhoodStat project tasks and timelines for the Neighborhood Safety Initiative (NSI) using agreed-upon tools and processes; 
• Work toward operational efficiency by streamlining processes and removing unnecessary operational barriers;
• Meet program reporting requirements through regular quality control methods and comprehensive tracking, as assigned and directed; 
• Represent the Center and NSI at community meetings, events, and public forums, when needed; and
• Coordinate with Comms to develop and distribute high-quality multimedia products for various audiences, partners, and stakeholders, including social media.

Lead and Support Team Capacity Building:

• Working closely with NSI managerial leadership, identify community partner agencies to participate in and/or coordinate local initiatives;
• Coordinate planning, implementation, training, resource sharing and field operations and management across assigned community sites; and
• Liaise regularly with multiple stakeholders and community-based partners to leverage resources and acquire the necessary support for local NSI initiatives.

Support and Manage Work of Team in Assigned Geography:

• Supervise a diverse team of MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers at assigned community sites;
• Ensure MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers have the necessary information, training, resources, and support for ongoing data collection, reporting, and evaluation activities;
• Lead implementation of neighborhood engagement strategy and support project development and execution; 
• Ensure that local program activities are comprehensive, high-quality, and meet or exceed all expectations while adhering to The Center, city agency requirements, and/or regulations;
• Attend meetings with program partners and research and evaluation partners to support data collection, inform research frameworks and provide regular and timely project updates; 
• Ensure that data collection requirements are fully met and executed at assigned community locations;
• Conduct weekly check-ins with MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers to ensure deliverables are met in a timely fashion, and that they have the information, resources, tools they need for implementation, and provide strategy and troubleshooting support when needed;
• Oversee MECs monthly stipend entry to ensure stipends, timesheets, and stipend logs are entered in a timely manner;
• Ensure MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers have a grasp of CCI/NSI internal systems, NStat processes, and permitting processes needed to support the execution of quality projects and events that are within budget;
• Support MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers in the planning and execution of all NStat action plan projects, community events, evaluation efforts and more;
• Ensure MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers are connected to NSI operations, design, and comms support needed for projects and events execution;
• Provide on the ground support to ensure that community events and projects are executed in high standard within stated timelines;
• Ensure MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers are completing weekly administrative duties and any other administrative needed to advance NStat goals and deliverables;
• Monitor resident stakeholder team retention and ensure MAP Engagement Coordinators (MECs) and Project Managers have the support they need to recruit and retain members; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate must have a Master's or an advanced degree with a minimum 5 years of experience in project management, community development, and/or other related areas. The ideal candidate will be passionate, skilled, and experienced in working with communities to promote health and safety. Other non-negotiable requirements include:

• Mature grasp of community organizing techniques and relationship building strategies; 
• Familiarity with MAP NYCHA communities;
• Superior project and time management skills;
• Strong ability to manage and implement multiple project components simultaneously;
• Experience managing outcomes and supporting program design and implementation; 
• Exceptional analytical, communication, presentation, and writing skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse, multi-disciplinary team;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with governmental and community agencies, non-profit organizations, and community groups;
• Previous personnel management experience a plus; 
• Demonstrated capacity to identify and achieve project goals, quickly, effectively, and successfully in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment; and
• Availability on some weekends and evenings as needed.

Position Type: Full-time (some weekends, evenings, and holidays)

Position Location:  Position is based at the Center’s main office, but candidate must routinely and frequently travel to all 30 designated sites and a range of other locations in and around the city. 

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $77,570 - $87,600 and is commensurate with experience. The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.